Friday, November 1, 2013

What I learned from my spending challenge

Back on Oct. 1, I posted that I wanted to start recording everything I bought with my spend-how-I-like cash during a two-week time. I stuck to it pretty well and had a list of where it all went.

Here are the things I learned:
  1. I spend a fair bit on Brady-related things. I knew that, but it was maybe a bit more than I thought. In this two-week time it was stuff for his prize store, snacks when we had to make after-school trips into a larger town 20 or 30 mins away, a DS game he earned through good behavior, and the trip to pumpkin patch and corn maze.
  2. I spend a lot on extra groceries. I try and stick to a base grocery budget of $60 per week. But in between I use my cash to buy extra stuff on sale or that we want. 
  3. I like to buy a protein bar in the afternoons on the way home from work. This is how I avoid my afternoon slump and sugar craving! 
  4. Some goes to church every Sunday, not enough probably, but some at least. 
  5. A car wash cost me $3.25! 
  6. I am happy to report I have started buying Christmas presents early to avoid the crunch/stress/rush. I bought 3 for hubby already.
So, I feel okay about where the money went. However, if I am wanting to sock away some cash each month for a larger purchase like really good new boots or a sewing machine, I'll need to find a place to cut.

If I'm going to continue with the protein bar kick, I probably better buy them in a larger amount at the grocery store rather than at Casey's every day where they are nearly $2! Yikes! And I need to focus more on the Dollar Tree for Brady's prize store items.

I really like keeping a record of this and will keep doing it.

How about you? Did you keep or have you kept a record of spending, and what did you learn?

15 comments:

  1. I don't but I should. It is surprising to find out where things go when otherwise you might just swipe and forget it.

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    Replies
    1. I'm really trying to do it every week now and it is making a big difference.

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  2. Hello Steph!!

    This is Alicia with ChosenCalledChasing! Thank you for coming by my blog to show your support!

    I am ashamed to admit that I constantly swipe my card and hardly think about it! I think my wake up call was when I ended up spending 40 dollars on fast food in one week! When I have the kids and we are out and about, I quickly run through a drive thru for a peace of mind! Those little things add up and end up costing a lot!!!

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    Replies
    1. It's so easy to do! I don't have a debit card and honestly don't miss it. Some day they may phase out checks though!

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  3. What a neat challenge!!! I'm sure mine would reflect a lot of Diet Coke and snacks. I'm such a visual eater and impulsive snacker. I'll have to try this out sometime. I do Quicken, but my husband and I have been wanting to try the cash envelope system for a while now.

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    Replies
    1. Oh geez, I get too many protein bars and mints to munch on! It adds up fast.

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  4. I put all my spending and income into a program like Microsoft Money. It helps me see where my money is going. I have been doing this for years but I am not great at it. I check up every few months

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    Replies
    1. That's a great idea. Hubby handles most of the bills, but I wanted to keep a track on my spending cash as well.

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  5. This is a great round up of your expenses. We always think we know how much we're spending but undoubtedly there are leaks. Thank you for your honesty :)

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  6. We spend more than we want to most of the time as well. We live on a estimate budget and one that isn't 100% rigid. We do have times where we just go through a don't spend. Right now I'm paying some high medical bills. So no extra spending for the next three months.
    Good thing I am making most of our Christmas Gifts we need to give away.

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    Replies
    1. Making Christmas gifts is such a great idea! I've done that in years past and need to get on it this year!

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  7. I want to try this again after the holidays. I've done it before and that's when I realized I spend way too much money on unnecessary toiletries...like yet another bottle of shampoo! I want to track our grocery expenses to see where we can cut down there.

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    Replies
    1. I was surprised at where some of it was going and ways I could change if I put thought into it.

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